MLB Player News

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.

The Mets pulled Minter (lat) from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Minter was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in early April, less than a year after undergoing surgery on his left lat. He has tossed 8.2 innings across nine minor-league games while posting a 1.04 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Minter will be reevaluated in a few days, but the Mets aren't overly concerned about the 32-year-old southpaw, who could be with the big club by mid-May depending on the severity of his latest injury.

Pallante (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings as the Cardinals fell 6-2 to the Brewers. He struck out three.

Four of the runs off Pallante crossed the plate in the first inning, including a three-run homer by Andrew Vaughn. The right-hander settled down after that and hung around for 104 pitches (74 strikes), but the St. Louis offense didn't get on the board until the eighth. Pallante has given the Cards at least five innings in all seven of his starts to begin the season, but his results have been somewhat erratic. He'll take a 4.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB through 37.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the A's.

Sanders is with the Pirates' taxi squad in Arizona prior to Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's not clear what the Pirates' plans are for Sanders, but the 29-year-old right-hander could be deployed out of bullpen at some point during the team's road trip. He's spent the majority of the season in Triple-A but has appeared in three major-league games, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings.

The Cubs selected Thornton's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

The move corresponds with Charlie Barnes being designated for assignment and the Cubs placing Matthew Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list. Thornton was activated from Iowa's 7-day injured list in late April after fully recovering from surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. The 32-year-old right-hander has appeared in four Triple-A games, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Pagan said Wednesday that he's been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 weeks, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Pagan aggravated a nagging hamstring issue on his first pitch of an appearance during Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs and was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Wednesday. With Pagan slated to miss at least a month of action, the Reds are likely to turn to Tony Santillan at closer, with Graham Ashcraft also potentially in the mix.

The Reds selected Antone's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Antone's return to the big leagues is a great story of perseverance, as he's believed to be the third pitcher to make it back to the majors following three Tommy John surgeries, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. The 32-year-old righty earned a promotion after collecting a 2.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 innings with Louisville. When Antone gets into a game, it will be his first at the big-league level since April 7, 2024.

The Reds activated Johnson from the bereavement list Wednesday.

Johnson is ready to rejoin the bullpen after being away from the club for a few days. The veteran reliever will move up in the Reds' bullpen hierarchy while Emilio Pagan (hamstring) is out and could see some high-leverage opportunities.

The Reds placed Pagan on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left hamstring strain.

Pagan suffered the injury on the first pitch he threw during an appearance Tuesday against the Cubs. It's the second time this season he's had a left hamstring issue. He was unavailable for only a couple days the first time, but the reliever will miss at least a couple weeks of action this time around. Tony Santillan is the favorite to serve as the Reds' closer while Pagan is sidelined, and Graham Ashcraft could also be in the mix.

Perez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Perez secured a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster coming out of spring training but was dropped from the 40-man roster last week after submitting a 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 9:11 K:BB in 16 innings. After clearing waivers, Perez elected to become a free agent and was able to quickly catch on with a new organization. Perez is expected to report to Triple-A Syracuse and will likely need to show improved control before he receives a look in the New York bullpen.